Africa-Press – Liberia. Former Liberia national team coach and player, Josiah N. Johnson, is calling on the government of Liberia to significantly increase its support for the country’s national football team in order to see positive results in the near future.
Johnson, who was present at the SKD Sports Complex when Liberia triumphed over São Tomé and Principe with a 2-1 victory, expressed disappointment at Liberia’s failure to qualify for major tournaments, attributing this to the lack of support for the national team.
He stated that Liberia’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations since 2002 is primarily due to insufficient backing from the government, which has left players and coaches dissatisfied.
The former Lone Star coach and player emphasized that the lack of proper support has stagnated the growth of football in Liberia. Johnson urged the government, through the Liberia Football Association (LFA), to shift its focus towards national leagues to foster talent that can contribute to the success of the Lone Star.
For Liberia to make a lasting impact on the international football stage, Johnson stressed the need for both government support and committed players. “The government has to get involved and return to the time of President Samuel K. Doe, when players like George Weah, James Debbah, and Kelvin Sebwe could meet the president at any time. This kind of support made Liberia a football powerhouse,” Johnson said.
He also pointed out the disparity in attendance between county meets and national team matches, lamenting that county meets now attract more spectators than national team games, which reflects a lack of enthusiasm for the national team.
The former coach highlighted that no matter who is appointed as coach, the fundamental issue remains the lack of support. “When the support is not coming from the government, it becomes difficult to achieve results,” Johnson stated, urging the government to allocate a substantial budget for sports that can accommodate the needs of the players.
Despite the lack of government support, Johnson criticized the commitment of some players, urging them to be more dedicated to their profession. “You can be a talented footballer, but if you engage in negative behaviors like being a womanizer or drunkard, it will affect your performance on the field,” he said, encouraging players to take the game seriously and engage in individual training to improve their skills.
Johnson reaffirmed that Liberia is not short of talent, but that support and encouragement are needed to unlock the full potential of the country’s footballers.
Regarding grassroots football development in Liberia, Johnson praised the efforts of local coaches who are working hard to build the mentality of young players.
Currently, Liberia sit third in their World Cup qualifying group with ten points from six matches, trailing second-place Namibia by two points and six points behind group leaders Tunisia.
In February 2023, the government of Liberia informed the Liberia Football Association (LFA) that it would no longer provide financial support for the country’s youth national football teams, citing budget constraints. Instead, the government decided to focus its support solely on the senior male and female national teams, a decision that has sparked concern among football officials and fans alike.
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